WHEREAS, Throughout our state’s history, Native Americans have played an important role in our culture and success; and

WHEREAS, California is home to more people of Native American and Alaska Native heritage than any other state in the country. According to the 2020 United States Census, California represents 14 percent of the total Native American and Alaskan Native population; and

WHEREAS, The state includes more federally recognized Indian tribes than any other state in the continental United States; and

WHEREAS, The United States and the state recognize that these governments were the original custodians of the land and waters that now constitute California; and

WHEREAS, These tribal governments continue to steward and protect the land and waters with their traditional ecological knowledge, especially related to fire practices; and

WHEREAS, The cultural and governmental contributions of the native peoples of California have shaped the course of the state throughout history; and

WHEREAS, California’s federally recognized tribal governments have made distinct and important contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art; and

WHEREAS, California’s tribal nations and their citizens leaders seek to bridge racial, socioeconomic, and environmental barriers by empowering and educating people in order to protect Native American culture and heritage for future generations; and

WHEREAS, On June 18, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom recognized that the State of California historically sanctioned over a century of depredations and prejudicial policies against California’s tribal nations and their citizens; and

WHEREAS, Governor Gavin Newsom commended and honored California’s tribal nations and their citizens for persisting, carrying on cultural and linguistic traditions, and stewarding and protecting this land that we now share; and apologized on behalf of the citizens of the State of California to all California Native Americans for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect California inflicted on tribes; and

WHEREAS, We can never undo the wrongs inflicted on the people who have lived on this land that we now call California, but we can recognize their contributions while building bridges to heal deep wounds; and

WHEREAS, California’s tribal governments and their citizens have given much to California and it is fitting that the honor is returned by recognizing their rich history and commitment to the State of California; now, therefore, be it